STAMFORD, Conn. – August 15, 2018 – NBC Sports Group heads to “Thunder Valley” this week for a twin bill of Monster Energy Cup and Xfinity Series races under the lights from Bristol Motor Speedway, in Bristol, Tenn. Live race coverage from “The Last Great Colosseum” begins Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with Xfinity Series racing, and culminates Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing.

With just three races left in the regular season, Kevin Harvick’s dominating Cup Series win last weekend in Michigan pushed him to the top of the 2018 Playoff standings, with seven wins and 40 playoff points. Harvick is followed by Kyle Busch (6 wins, 35 playoff points), Martin Truex Jr. (4 wins, 27 playoff points), Clint Bowyer (2 wins, 10 playoff points), and Chase Elliott (1 win, 8 playoff points).

NBC Sports Group kicks off its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series coverage from Bristol Motor Speedway, this Friday at 10:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by final practice at 12:30 p.m. ET. A special on-site edition of NASCAR America airs at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN and is followed by qualifying at 5:30 p.m. ET.

XFINITY SERIES COVERAGE FROM BRISTOL – FRIDAY AT 7:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

NASCAR on NBC’s Xfinity Series coverage from Bristol begins Thursday, with first practice at 10 a.m. ET, followed by final practice at 1:30 p.m. ET. Coverage of both practice sessions will be available on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

Xfinity Series coverage continues Friday, with qualifying at 3:30 p.m. ET. NBCSN’s Countdown to Green kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and is followed by race coverage at 7:30 p.m. ET.

NASCAR on NBC motorsports writer Dustin Long (@dustinlong) is set to go behind-the-scenes with Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 43 team this week for a multi-platform series across NBCSN’s NASCAR America and NBCSports.com’s NASCAR Talk. Long joins the No. 43 team, and embeds himself in their preparation process as they ready for this weekend’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Long’s in-depth coverage includes and an exclusive interview with driver of the No. 43, Bubba Wallace, as well as conversations with team officials and crew members.